Hilde blinked when Nick pulled out the M16 like he was back in Iraq. On the one hand, it made her feel safe to be with him, knowing that he wouldn't hesitate to kill to protect her. On the other hand, she could see him escalating a situation that didn't need to escalate out of his PTSD and paranoia.
She accepted the pistol, cocking the hammer but leaving it pointed at the floor.
It was then that she noticed the tracks in the dust. They looked fresh, since no dust had settled back into them. Someone was here. Probably here now. If they'd been living here there would be more tracks.
Deciding that it would be better to assume cooperation and hold aggression in reserve, she made her choice.
"Hello?" she called out as she slowly followed the tracks. "I know you're here. We're armed, but we don't want to hurt you. There's plenty here for both of us. Please show yourself! We don't need an incident!"